Swanson: "Unacceptable for this Situation to Continue"

on
Saturday, May 27, 2017

As Illinois approaches
the third year without a state budget, it is indeed, unacceptable for this
situation to continue.We
made numerous offers to work together developing a bipartisan budget, but the
majority party was unresponsive. Rather than work together to pass a true
balanced budget, the majority party uses their tax and spend playbook.

Our schools, higher
education institutions, social service providers, and vendors deserve the
certainty that comes with a comprehensive balanced budget. However, we cannot repeat the mistakes of the
past- passing budgets that are not balanced simply to allow politicians to look
good at the cost of the long-term fiscal security of our State. These past mistakes have forced job creators,
seniors, families and college graduates out of our state to greener pastures
elsewhere.

This week we saw the
Senate Democrats propose to “solve” this issue by simply raising taxes on
Illinois residents while continuing to spend more than we bring in and failing
to institute reforms demanded by Illinois voters. This Senate budgeting process was neither
bipartisan nor truly balanced. We can
solve this crisis, but only by working together.

The path that got us
here has been obscured with wrong decisions and imprudent actions. Now is the time to find a new path
forward. I am working hard to ensure
that path is one we walk together, side-by-side, and not simply by following
any partisan leader.

Let me be clear- I
cannot and will not support a budget that asks Illinois families to pay more
without changing the way we do business as a State. There is still time to solve this as a State
and not go off the cliff, but it’s going to mean working together and respecting
each other’s priorities all to achieve a common goal toward a better future for
our once and future great State of Illinois.